A colorful exhibit, of course: Art Alliance teachers’ display acts as visual catalog for prospective students

The teachers from the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania have returned to Schlow Centre Region Library to showcase some of their latest work. Visitors will be able to view a diverse selection of pieces in the library’s Betsy Rodgers Allen Gallery throughout the month.

Works by Lena Thynell, above, who teaches watercolor, are on display in an Art Alliance teachers’ exhibit.
Photos provided

Works by Sean Bodley ("Oha Reborn"), who teaches oil painting and basic drawing, are on display in an Art Alliance teachers’ exhibit.
Photo provided

The teachers from the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania have returned to Schlow Centre Region Library to showcase some of their latest work. Visitors will be able to view a diverse selection of pieces in the library’s Betsy Rodgers Allen Gallery throughout the month.

According to Maria Burchill, the library’s head of adult services, “There are 10 works on display that show off the talent of the teachers. From bronze sculptures to ink, acrylics and photography, there’s a little something for all tastes.”

“We feature all of our instructors and each one chooses their own work that they think shows their particular style and medium,” said Marie Doll, the Art Alliance executive director.

Not only is the exhibit a chance for people to check out some local artwork, but it’s also a way for aspiring artists to learn more about the Art Alliance.

“(The event) helps put them in touch with local teachers who will foster budding talent,” Burchill said.

A piece from every medium that the organization teaches is on display at the exhibit, including a recent addition — linoleum block printmaking.

“We try to introduce new mediums that people have asked about or that we haven’t been teaching,” Doll said. “We always have the basic courses like oil and watercolors, but we do like to add new things.”

The Art Alliance, in Lemont, is a nonprofit organization that has been offering art classes and workshops to the community for more than 40 years. The organization has about 350 members, including teachers such as Lena Thynell, who has artwork featured in the library’s gallery.

Thynell’s piece, titled “Summer Abundance,” was created during one of her recent watercolor workshops. She became an instructor for the organization last year, shortly after moving to the area.

“When I moved to State College three years ago, it was important for me to join the Art Alliance to be able to grow as an artist and meet people who shared the same interest,” Thynell said. “I think my work and teaching influences people to understand the importance of (using) high-quality paint and paper, to be brave (and) take risks, to accept that every painting is a learning process, to have fun, to not give up and to keep on painting.”

In conjunction with the exhibit, Schlow Library will host a reception from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Downsbrough Community Room. The Art Alliance instructors will bring pieces not seen in the exhibit to this event. Both the reception and the exhibit are free and open to the public.